Elevate Records is proud to announce the signing of KATHAREIN, a heavy metal band formed in 2022 that has rapidly established itself as one of the most exciting new voices in the genre. The partnership marks a significant step in Elevate Records’ ongoing commitment to bringing powerful, uncompromising music to a global audience.
Founded by guitarist and vocalist Silviu S., Katharein quickly grew into a full lineup featuring co-founding guitarist Skozy, bassist Zorand S., and drummer Nicholas S. Together, they forged a sound rooted in classic heavy metal — blistering riffs, relentless rhythms, and commanding vocals — while injecting the raw energy that defines the genre at its best.
The band’s debut album, Lucky Shots, is a 13-track record that has already surpassed 200,000 streams across all major platforms as of March 2025. The album — coming soon — has been praised for its signature intensity, earning the band a reputation as a group that writes songs meant to be played loud and meant to last. Music videos for Signs of Warning, Ain’t Nobody, and Adler’s Alley are available online, alongside three newly released tracks: The Last of the World, Madman’s Gun, and Let Us Touch the Sky.
Katharein made their live debut at the Rock the Camp Winter Edition in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on February 18, 2025, demonstrating a stage presence every bit as forceful as their studio output. Following a busy summer in 2025, the band enters 2026 with a full tour schedule already in place, with additional dates continuing to be announced.
“Lucky Shots marks the powerful sound of Katharein’s journey — classic heavy metal roots, modern punch, and zero apologies. If you miss the days when metal bands wrote songs to be played loud and meant it, Katharein are speaking your language.”
Through the partnership with Elevate Records, Lucky Shots will be placed into the hands of heavy music lovers worldwide, backed by the label’s distribution infrastructure and promotional network. Elevate Records looks forward to supporting Katharein’s continued growth, both on record and on stage.
Masquerage, led by Kimmo Perämäki—known from Spiritus Mortis and Celesty—has released a new single, “Waves,” from their upcoming album Atomic Spies.
“Waves” blends energy and sensitivity into a captivating whole, carrying the listener on a journey through waves of memories and deep emotions…
The Atomic Spies album will be released on May 29, 2026. The U.S. and European versions will be released by Stormspell Records (USA) while the Scandinavian version and digital release will be handled by Inverse Records (Finland).
–Composed by Kimmo Perämäki –Lyrics by Marko Ylä-Häkkinen –Mixed & mastered by Kimmo Perämäki –ISRC: FI3FC2655509 –Single cover by Kimmo Perämäki
Atomic Spies Track list:
On The Edge Of Beliefs
Atomic Spies
The Devil To Pay
In The Vault
By Design
Everfrost
The Healthiest Man To Die
Pain Of Punishment
Waves
–All music written by Kimmo Perämäki –All lyrics written by Marko Ylä-Häkkinen –Produced, recorded, mixed, mastered by Kimmo Perämäki. –Album cover art by Saija Lehto
Masquerage is a Finnish melodic metal band founded in 1998, blending elements of AOR, heavy metal, and power metal into its distinctive sound. The band was formed by cousins Kimmo Perämäki (Spiritus Mortis, Celesty) and Marko Ylä-Häkkinen.
In its early days, the band operated under the name Unchained, and in 1999 the lineup was completed by keyboardist Mika Maunus. At their very first rehearsals as a trio, Marko introduced Mika to Kimmo with the words: “Here’s Mika, our new keyboard player. Can’t really play anything, but he learns fast.” Well, the credentials were clearly sufficient, and Mika was in. This core trio—Perämäki, Ylä-Häkkinen, and Maunus—laid the foundation for Masquerage’s early sound and released the band’s first two demos.
In 2000, the band changed its name to Masquerage, reflecting the roles and masks people wear in different situations—and what may lie beneath them. This theme has remained a strong element in the band’s lyrics ever since. That same year, bassist Mikael Kontolampi joined, and the band began moving more deliberately toward a professional direction.
The early 2000s were marked by active live performances and several demo releases.
In 2004, the lineup expanded with a second guitarist, Jukka Viitasaari, and with this formation Masquerage released its debut album Work-Holic-Fool (2005) in collaboration with Soultonics. Its follow-up, Moonlight Time (2008), was released independently.
In 2009, Viitasaari stepped aside, and the four-piece lineup released their third album Backstabber in cooperation with 57Records.
In 2014, longtime bassist Kontolampi departed, and Kimmo and Marko began collaborating with the U.S.-based Stormspell Records—a partnership that would shape Masquerage’s future releases.
Bassist Ossi Raiski joined the band in 2015, after which Masquerage reactivated and released the albums Breaking the Masks (2016) and Hangman’s Revelations (2018) through Stormspell Records.
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly slowed the band’s activity, but in 2024 Masquerage returned to working on new material. The new album entered production in 2025, resulting in the band’s sixth studio album, Atomic Spies, set for release on May 29, 2026, in collaboration with Stormspell Records and Inverse Records.
Masquerage continues its determined journey toward a firmly established position in the melodic heavy rock and metal scene—combining strong melodies, infectious hooks, and thematically rich lyrics.
Line-up: Kimmo Perämäki – Guitar & Vocals Ossi Raiski – Bass Mika Maunus – Keyboards Marko Ylä-Häkkinen – Drums
Legendary actor, cultural icon, and recording artist William Shatner is proving once again that age is no barrier to creativity. At 95 years of age, Shatner is continuing work on his highly anticipated heavy metal project — and has just announced a major collaboration that is sure to electrify fans worldwide.
Shatner has officially recruited Rob Halford, the iconic frontman of Judas Priest, to join him on a reimagined version of the classic metal anthem “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” The collaboration pairs Shatner’s unmistakable spoken-word intensity with Halford’s soaring, powerhouse vocals, creating a bold and unexpected take on one of heavy metal’s most enduring tracks.
“I’ve always been drawn to the energy and storytelling of heavy metal,” said Shatner. “Working with Rob on this track brings that intensity to life in a way that feels both timeless and entirely new.”
Rob Halford adds, “One life I’m gonna live it up!’ William Shatner is boldly doing that more than ever, and I am honored to reinforce this message with him – ‘taking flight I said I’ll never get enough!’”
The upcoming album, currently in production, continues Shatner’s long-standing exploration of music across genres, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. This latest project leans fully into the heavy metal world, featuring high-profile collaborators and bold reinterpretations of classic songs.
Cleopatra Records founder and head Brian Perera says, “I’m honored to be a part of another chapter in William Shatner’s musical journey, and celebrating as he goes louder, harder and heavier than ever.”
Indeed, Shatner has already taken a first step into these waters, as part of former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland’s upcoming Nuclear Messiah project. Their collaboration “Prophet of Fall-out” is scheduled as both the all-star aggregation’s next single and video, ahead of the full Black Flame album release at the end of April.
Further details about William Shatner’s album, including additional guest appearances and release dates, will be announced soon.
Hungarian modern metal band Senki have shared the lyric video for “Mint csillag az égen” (Like a Star in the Sky), taken from their debut EP Szilánkok, available now through Wormholedeath.
The song opens a window to Ákos Rikter’s creative soul. “Mint csillag az égen” explores the visceral connection between artist and art, that sacred space where authenticity thrives and self-expression knows no boundaries. It’s a declaration of artistic purpose, a testament to the uncompromising pursuit of dreams, and a meditation on the necessity of creation itself.
“This song is about the place where I can be completely myself,” explains Rikter. “It’s about creativity, self-actualization, and the resolve to keep pushing forward until every dream becomes reality.”
About “Szilánkok” EP
Szilánkok, Hungarian for Shards, documents a breaking point between personal passion and family, the moment illusions give way to something harder and more honest. Six tracks of metalcore, groove, and progressive metal built around dynamic riffs, intense vocals, and the kind of live-room energy that rarely survives the recording process. On this record, it does.
Senki is a Hungarian modern metal band known for crushing riffs, atmospheric melodies, and intense vocals. Their music blends groove, heavy, and progressive metal, with lyrics exploring social criticism and self-reflection. On stage, they deliver raw energy and emotional intensity.
Founded in 2018 by Ákos Rikter as a solo project, Senki evolved into a full band by 2025 with Olivér Takács on bass and Adrián Miskoltzy on drums. The band is now focused on live shows and a new full-length album.
On April 8th, The UK’s RATTLESNAKES will proudly be releasing a cover of Saxon’s iconic track, “And The Bands Played On.”
Heavy Metal legends Saxon wrote the “And The Bands Played On” anthem (from the ‘Denim and Leather’ album, 1981) inspired by their live appearance at the first Monsters of Rock festival on August 16, 1980 at Donington Park, where the band was met with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowd response.
RATTLESNAKES shares:
“‘And The Bands Played On’ is a song that collectively created a plethora of joyous memories for us all in RATTLESNAKES! The reason we chose to cover this song was also because of the similarities in genre and style we both have and our love for vocal harmonies, which is something very prevalent in this song. We wanted to put our spin on this awesome track by emphasizing that! This band has never failed to inspire us in RATTLESNAKES and we hope to honor and bring light upon The Mighty Saxon for the younger generations of rockers by carrying the everlasting torch of HEAVY METAL THUNDER!”
The band is currently demoing material for their full length debut album, and with it’s wrath filled riffing and commanding vocals, will undeniably make you head bang and generate impassioned sing alongs.
Check RATTLESNAKES out live with label fellows Struck A Nerve and Devastator at London Cart and Horses on May 3rd, 2026.
DISCOGRAPHY : ‘Deeper Shades of Torment’ EP 2025 (self released)
WITCH RIPPER announce the first North American headlining tour for 2026. The US metal band will kick off the “Through the Hourglass” Tour 2026 with a warm-up show in Seattle, WA on April 3 about a month ahead of the release of their eponymous new album.
WITCH RIPPER comment: “How to sum up Witch Ripper on tour?“, frontman Curtis Parker asks rhetorically. “Big energy, big riffs, and four guys who could not be happier playing music. We can hardly wait to hit the road this spring! Nothing feels better than a long string of shows while the band is firing on all cylinders. Come hang out and see this traveling nerd circus in all its glory. We promise all the cosmic time traveling songs you can handle! Hugs free of charge!“
WITCH RIPPER “Through the Hourglass” US TOUR 2026 03 APR 2026 Seattle, WA (US) The Sunset Tavern 01 MAY 2026 Vancouver, BC (CA) The Cobalt 22 MAY 2026 Bellingham, WA (US) The Shakedown 30 MAY 2026 Missoula, MT (US) M-80 Chicken 31 MAY 2026 Boise, ID (US) The Olympic 01 JUN 2026 Salt Lake City, UT (US) Aces High Saloon 02 JUN 2026 Denver, CO (US) The Crypt 03 JUN 2026 Santa Fe, NM (US) Desert Dogs 04 JUN 2026 Phoenix, AZ (US) The Blooze Bar 05 JUN 2026 San Diego, CA (US) McGuffies 06 JUN 2026 Los Angeles, CA (US) The Escondite 08 JUN 2026 San Francisco, CA (US) Bottom of the Hill 09 JUN 2026 Chico, CA (US) Naked Lounge 10 JUN 2026 Reno, NV (US) Pizzava 11 JUN 2026 Eureka, CA (US) The Siren’s Song Tavern 12 JUN 2026 Roseburg, OR (US) The Rosebud Theater 13 JUN 2026 Portland, OR (US) Twilight Cafe and Bar 14 JUN 2026 Seattle, WA (US) Hidden Hall
The latest advance single, ‘The Clock Queen‘, is a groovy, heavy, and proggy track taken from their forthcoming third album “Through the Hourglass“, which is scheduled for release on April 10, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records. Pre-orders are available here:https://spkr.store/collections/witch-ripper
WITCH RIPPER commented: “‘The Clock Queen‘ is the best representation of Witch Ripper in its purest form: Heavy. Melodic. Progressive”, Curtis Parker wrote. “In our story, it represents the big reveal of who our antagonist meets in this world they’ve found themselves in. Throughout the album, we peppered in what we call “the clock queen’s theme,” a melody that sneaks its way into almost every song at some point. This song is the culmination of that tension and it’s when we finally meet the driving force of the album: The Clock Queen herself.“
Tracklist: 1. Odyssey in Retrograde 2. The Portal 3. Symmetry of the Hourglass 4. Echoes and Dust 5. The Clock Queen 6. Proxima Centuari 7. The Spiral Eye
On their third full-length, “Through the Hourglass”, WITCH RIPPER unleash the full potential of their stunning ability to deliver captivating melodies, catchy riffs, and merciless hooks in sheer droves.
The US metal band perfectly combines melodic heaviness with pinches of progressive, sludge, and other styles with seeming ease. WITCH RIPPER can be generally located within the wider sonic realm that is inhabited by MASTODON, BARONESS, and HIGH ON FIRE, yet they also continue to channel the rock bombast of QUEEN and DAVID BOWIE as well as the modern prog of COHEED AND CAMBRIA and MUSE.
While WITCH RIPPER‘s songwriting has climbed to a new peak, they continue with their loving pastiche of the legendary pulp science fiction stories of old. “Through the Hourglass” extends the story that began on their sophomore full-length, “The Flight after the Fall” (2023), in which the central character’s search for peace in death by flying into a black hole proved futile. As “Through the Hourglass” begins, he awakens to a world without time and a familiar dark presence from his past…
Conceived in 2012 in the city of grey skies, lush vegetation and loud rock, Seattle, Washington’s WITCH RIPPER garnered critical acclaim and a strong buzz in the underground scene with their sludgy self-titled EP (2012) and debut full-length “Homestead” (2018). The second album, “The Flight after the Fall”, made the band’s name on a global scale, as the band dramatically expanded the range of their sound in ways both catchy and progressive.
On stage, WITCH RIPPER have performed alongside heavy rock outfits such as MONOLORD, CONAN, and CASTLE RAT as well as modern metal acts including SLIPKNOT, GOJIRA, and KHEMMIS among many others.
WITCH RIPPER are already at work planning for tour across the United States once more and hope for a first voyage to Europe in support of releasing “Through the Hourglass”. Metal is anything but dead, and this album is living proof of its vibrant present.
P.S.: Music aficionados will find a revelation hiding in the key of each song.
Line-up Chad Fox – guitar, vocals Brian Kim – bass, vocals Curtis Parker – guitar, vocals Joe Eck – drums
Guest musician Irene Barber – vocals on ‘The Spiral Eye’
Recording by Matt Bayles at Studio Litho & EXES Audio, Seattle, WA (US) Mix by Matt Bayles at Studio Litho, Seattle, WA (US) Mastering by Brad Boatright at Audio Siege Studios, Portland, OR (US)
Cover art by Chris Panatier Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 